Written answers

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

8:00 pm

Photo of John DeasyJohn Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the situation in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29339/07]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken or proposes to take directly or through the EU or UN to bring about an improvement in the situation in Pakistan with particular reference to the need to re-establish the democratic process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30948/07]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has expressed its concern at the detention of opposition leaders and spokespersons and members of the judiciary, the suspension of the constitution and the declaration of martial law in Pakistan by General Musharraf. [30877/07]

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has expressed his concerns to the Ambassador for Pakistan in relation to the imposition of martial law in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29300/07]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the Pakistani Ambassador in relation to current events in Pakistan. [30876/07]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in Pakistan; if he has plans to assist over the period leading up to the upcoming election and the elections themselves in January 2008 to provide observers or other such means, on its own or with the cooperation of the European Union, in order to ensure free and fair elections. [30878/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 79, 83, 105, 106 and 113 together.

The situation in Pakistan was discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 November. My colleagues and I expressed our deep concern at developments in that country and again reiterated our call for the immediate lifting of emergency rule.

Our position remains clear. The Government of Pakistan must take urgent action to restore the Constitution, follow up on its commitments on holding free and fair elections on schedule in January, and ensure that the necessary conditions for this are put in place, and President Musharraf must honour his commitment to step down as Chief of Army Staff. At the same time we also call for the release of all political prisoners, including members of the judiciary, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders; for reconciliation with the political opposition; and for the relaxation of media restrictions.

This position, and the Government's deep concerns about the State of Emergency in Pakistan, the dismissal and arrest of members of the judiciary, the harassment and arrest of opposition figures, and the situation of lawyers and human rights defenders in Pakistan have been directly communicated to the Ambassador of Pakistan in Dublin. This also included the Governments outrage at the arbitrary house arrest of Ms Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief and Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a Pakistani citizen. I understand that an arrest warrant has also been issued in respect of her sister, Ms Hina Jilani, Special Representative to the UN Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders. I would again implore Pakistan to reconsider its actions, by cancelling the arrest warrants issued against human rights defenders and by releasing those human rights defenders already detained.

Along with our EU partners, the Government will be keeping the situation in Pakistan under close review and will do all possible to encourage the reinstatement of the Constitution, the holding of free and fair elections, and the earliest possible return to democratic, civilian rule.

In this context, the EU is continuing to look at the possibility of sending an observation mission for the elections in Pakistan. This would clearly depend on the necessary conditions being in place, but would be something that Ireland would see as valuable and would fully support. Should the mission proceed, Ireland would certainly look at contributing observers. However, if emergency rule is not lifted in advance of the elections, it is difficult to see in those circumstances how the elections could possibly be regarded as free and fair by the international community. I believe that the reinstatement of an independent judiciary would also play an important role in ensuring the validity of any elections.

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